WOOD RIVER – For the past 100 years people have called Wood River home, and to celebrate the city’s centennial a few residents are allowing people to take a look inside their historic structures.The Wood River Heritage Council is sponsoring the Historic Home Tour from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, which is part of the city’s yearlong celebration marking the occasion.SaDonna McMillen, 448 N. Fifth St., believes the tour will give historical insight to the people and architecture that have built the city.”There are a lot of wonderful and beautiful homes in Wood River,” McMillen said.McMillen wasn’t so sure about the beauty of her own house when she moved into it in 1969.”I cried because it was so ugly,” she said. It didn’t take McMillen long to transform the abode built as a “spec” house by a local lumber yard in 1928 into something she treasures. Located within walking distance of a school, church, library and grocery story, McMillen said it was the perfect location to raise her family and create a place to call “home.”She said when she and her late husband purchased the two-bedroom house there was plenty of room, however as their family grew so did their need for more space. Rather than rearrange the original footprint of the house, the couple expanded into the attic.Although the upstairs will not be included on the tour, the steps that lead to it are a showpiece in the center of the house. The spiral stairs, which take up only 4-square-feet, are noticeable as soon as you walk in the door.The bright blue painted steps pop against the burgundy colored walls of the living room.”It think of it as a sculptural piece,” McMillen said. “If we had put in traditional steps it would have taken up too much room. We didn’t want to lose any living space.”The home is filled with antiques and pieces that McMillen has made or salvaged. The headboard the master bedroom was “rescued” from a local church, the faux fireplace mantle in the living room is made from salvaged wood and iron and the dining room rug is recycled.”The rug is made from old blue jeans,” McMillen said.She said she cut more than 100 pairs of denim pants into strips, totaling 50 pounds, to create the rag rug.”I made it 20 years ago,” she said. “The best part about it is that it’s washable.”The backyard is covered with more than 5,600 bricks harvested from local demolitions.”It took two years to put it all together,” McMillen said.Although McMillen has changed the interior of the house through the years she said the dining room has remained the same, including blue and white floral wallpaper she put up 35 years ago. She said she recently painted the trim, but didn’t have the heart to paint over markings on the doorframe leading to the kitchen.”I took a swatch and had the paint matched to the same color,” she said. “I painted just to the top of the tallest mark.”The marks are the measurements of McMillen’s two daughters and three grandchildren as they grew up. The kitchen is original to the house, except for some added cabinets to the north wall, which McMillen said are from the same time period. “I like to reuse things when I can,” she said.She said she started recycling more the two decades ago when most people had never heard of the concept. She said her home is filled with treasures she’s found, rescued or recycled.”My dog and cat are recycled, too,” she said jokingly about her adopted pets. “This house has been a joy to live in.”Another house on the tour, owned by John and Theresa Depper, has a distinguished architectural pedigree behind it as well. In 1910 George Pennifold built the house for Standard Oil. Co. employee Joseph Everson. In 1928, the Postlewaites, who owned Postlewaites’ Drug Store (now Camp Drug Store), purchased the two-story brick house at 842 Lewis Ave. The house then became known as The Postlewaite Tea Room for the lavish parties and receptions thrown by the matriarch of the house.Since purchasing the house three years go the Deppers have renovated the property that was neglected for years.Many of the homes are known for the original owners and are often referred to by locals as such. The remaining homes on the tour include:627 N. Second St., The McIntosh House, owned by Cindy and Fred Garia501 Leslie Ave., The Stucco House, owned by Linda and Charlie Hoffman282 S. Seventh St., The McCredie House, owned by Joan and Phillip Ford223 S. Eighth St., Sears Catalog house, Meaghan and Christopher Wilson232 S. Ninth St., The Parks House, Pam and Darrell Ottwell174 S. Ninth St., The Wuestenfeld House, Amy and Patrick MarshallIn addition to touring the eight private residences in the McIntosh and Maplewood subdivisions, ticket holders can also visit the Historic Wedding Chapel, 446 E. Lorena Ave., and the Wood River Museum, 40 W. Ferguson Ave.Prior to the days’ event tickets can be purchased for $10 at Wood River City Hall, 111 N. Wood River Ave.; Wood River Library, 326 E. Ferguson; Wood River Museum; Camp Drug Store, 600 E. Ferguson Ave.; Dick’s Flower Shop, 232 N. Wood River Ave.; and Martha’s Tea Room, 3624 Edwardsville Road. On the day of the event tickets will be $12 at the Wood River Museum.For more information call (618) 251-3100 or (618) 254-1993.